The Kiteboarder Buyer’s Guide

November 3, 2019 / Kite

The Kiteboarder Magazine has just released their 2020 Buyer's guide:

Ozone started out as an innovative paragliding company staffed and owned by snowkiting enthusiasts. The natural transition into kites earned Ozone a highly respected reputation in snowkiting and eventually followed into kitesurfing. With unique practices such as product cycles based on innovation not model years and made to order distribution, Ozone is committed to redefining and simplifying every aspect of the kiteboarding experience with high-quality performance products.

OZONE HAS ONE OF THE BROADEST OFFERINGS OF KITE LINES IN THE INDUSTRY. HOW DO YOU STEER RIDERS BASED ON SKILL LEVEL AND RIDING STYLE AMONGST THE CATALYST, ENDURO, REO, ALPHA AND EDGE LINES OF KITES?

Fortunately, we don’t have a lot of overlap in our range, so it is fairly straightforward. Our design team has done a great job of positioning each model with performance characteristics that line up with a specific application. Regardless, there are always riders that appreciate a certain model’s attributes and use it outside of its marketed use which is great as well. The challenge comes when a new rider is progressing and doesn’t really know what they like or best suits their preference in a kite. Skill level and riding style is a great starting point and most of the time we can get it right by steering a person towards the model for the rider’s intended use. In our range, the Catalyst is the easy answer for entry-level/progression and predictability. The Enduro is the kite that won’t hold you back regardless of style. The REO is for waves and the Alpha is best for freeride foiling/packable all-terrain. The Edge is for going Mach speeds and launching into the stratosphere.

The Enduro is probably the most versatile kite in our range and is a great starting point when looking for a new kite. All of our Ozone dealers are avid riders and can provide you the opportunity to demo kites and steer you in the right direction when deciding which model to choose.

THERE’S A NEW EDGE V10 THIS YEAR—WHAT ARE THE BIG CHANGES THIS YEAR AND HOW WILL THESE CHANGES FEEL TO THE LONG-TIME EDGE FANS OUT THERE?

Anyone familiar with the Ozone brand knows that we don’t make changes just for the sake of change. Each new version of a model is a refinement on a platform that has earned a following and it is important for us to preserve the well-loved features of the model. The Edge V10 is no exception. We have kept all of the attributes that people can expect from the Edge; smooth power delivery, effortless lofty jumps, amazing upwind performance and lightning-fast speeds. The main change over the V9 is in the profile sections that provide the canopy increased support helping to maintain form even in gusty conditions and when depowered. Alongside this change is a meticulously revised wingtip shape. The end result is a kite that is true to the Edge pedigree but with improved handling reaction time and a faster drive through the turns creating a smoother feeling on the bar in turning and throughout the sheeting range.

Read on HERE for the full lowdown and insights into other products in our range.

Watch The Kiteboarder's 2020 Kite interview with Ruben Lenten from the AWSI